Apple TV has canceled 5 popular shows so far in 2023—and fans aren’t happy.
Original shows The Mosquito Coast, High Desert, Amber Brown, Truth Be Told, and Dear Edward have all been axed by the streaming service in the first half of 2023, and considering viewers are also dealing with other favorites being put on hold due to the current Hollywood strikes, we might see several more show cancellations at Apple TV before the year is through. Keep on scrolling to learn more about the shows Apple TV has unceremoniously ended since the beginning of the year.
READ MORE: Netflix Just Announced It’s Canceling More Shows Amid ‘Netflix Writer’s Strike
The Mosquito Coast
The television adaptation of Paul Theroux's bestselling 1981 novel of the same name followed an idealistic inventor named Allie Fox, played by The Leftovers' Justin Theroux (nephew of the novel's author), who uproots his family to Latin America after becoming disillusioned with the corruption of the industrial world. However, when the United States government pursues the family, they decide to take a dangerous quest through Mexico to evade authorities and seek safety.
The novel was previously the basis of a film adaptation from 1986 starring Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, and River Phoenix. The television series worked as a spiritual prequel to the book and film, with more focus on Allie's wife Margo—played by Melissa George—and more action involving cartels, government agents, and more. News of the cancellation came just two weeks after the second season's finale, leaving the fate of protagonist Allie permanently left up in the air.
High Desert
This cancellation is the most recent, having just been announced on July 1st. High Desert focused on Peggy, played by Oscar winner Patricia Arquette, who is an addict trying to make a fresh start after the death of her beloved mother while living in the small desert town of Yucca Valley, California. Peggy decides to become a private investigator, and in her journey meets a variety of colorful characters played by actors like Brad Garrett, Bernadette Peters, and Rupert Friend. The show's cancellation came not even two months after the its premiere, which took place on May 17th. The series, which garnered a following of many loyal fans, only lived to see eleven episodes, with the finale airing on June 21st.
Amber Brown
This family comedy was based on the series of books of the same name by author Paula Danziger, known for such YA classics as P.S. Longer Letter Later and This Place Has No Atmosphere. The series followed Amber Brown, a multi-ethnic girl navigating the trials and tribulations of growing up while also dealing with the painful divorce of her parents. It premiered last July, but was announced to have officially been cancelled this April after only one season, with the cast's contract options already having lapsed in the extended period since the season 1 finale.
Truth Be Told
Truth Be Told was a legal/crime drama with some big names in the cast, including Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and Emmy winner Aaron Paul. The series was based on the novel Are You Sleeping, and focused on a journalist and true crime podcaster (played by Spencer) who reopens a famous 1999 murder case after finding out that she may have helped put the wrong man (Paul) behind bars for the crime. The show lasted 3 seasons after first premiering in 2019, following multiple cases including the initial murder re-investigation, the murder of a photographer and filmmaker, and the disappearances of several young Black girls whose case has not attracted mainstream media attention. The show's cancellation was announced in April, making the existing 3 seasons the only ones to air.
Dear Edward
This drama, also based on a novel, told the story of Edward Adler, who becomes the lone survivor of a plane crash that takes the lives of his entire immediate family. Edward and others affected by the tragedy connect over their shared traumatic experience, and try to support each others' journeys with guilt and grief. The series starred Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black) and Connie Britton (American Horror Story, Friday Night Lights) as Edward's aunt and guardian and the wife of a man who died in the crash. Dear Edward premiered on Apple TV+ in February, and also canceled in April after its single inaugural season.
